Education

• Masters of Public Administration, University of Illinois

Experience

• A proud Director and Treasurer of The Woodlands Township.
• Decorated Vietnam Veteran
• Chief Administrative Officer, City of Urbana, Illinois: Responsible for all departments budgets, federal contracts and labor relations.
• Executive Vice-President and General Manager of the Dispatch Printing Company, Columbus, Ohio.
• Chairman Management Committee Ameri Flora ‘92, traveled and negotiated with 12 countries to participate.
• Owned and managed metro and community media companies across the United States.
• Through various consortiums successfully acquired/merged and sold numerous properties for record value.

Accomplishments

• Proposed the creation and is the chair of the Village Presidents’ Council providing its members an avenue to meet and listen to residents, public officials and Township staff. The Presidents can further discuss with officials and corporate executive’s issues affecting their villages. This will potentially be a great place to develop future Township leaders and activists.
• Proposed the creation of page 6 in the monthly Community Impact devoted to Township News, not political concerns. Proposed the delivery of the bi-monthly Community Magazine to be delivered to all residents, including apartment complexes.
• Approved the FIRST All Woodlands Township Homestead Exemption of 3% and increased the over 65 exemption from $40,000 to $50,000.
• Franks, with colleagues, works with the State Legislature to return the Mixed Beverage Tax to the Township, which is estimated to be $1.4 million in its first full year.
• In 2023, approved lowering the tax rate from .1850 to .1714 which was a no new-revenue tax rate.
• As Treasurer, Franks proposed and implemented the “Board Budget Task Force Committee” insuring a more in-depth study and management approach of the Township Budget initiatives/process.
• Instrumental in establishing an electric bicycle patrol for enhanced safety in Town Center and parking structures.
• Served on the “Visit The Woodlands Board” to promote tourism and specialty state and national events which brings in significant revenue to help reduce our residents taxes.

2024 and Beyond PROPOSALS

• Created the full-page ad with Township news in the monthly Community Impact
• Refine budget task force
• Continue to promote and encourage resident education, input, communication and work to increase resident involvement in community affairs.
• Working on establishing, positive, collaborative relationships with other communities (Oak Ridge, Shenandoah, Spring), counties (Montgomery, Harris) and intergovernmental partners, including relationships with businesses within the Township.
• I will support and encourage continued efforts to analyze a proposal for a Performing Arts Center for The Woodlands.
• Given we are in our 50th year we MUST maintain the quality of excellence that our residents have come to expect. Continue to work with residents, staff and county to ensure the parks, pools, roads etc are properly maintained.
• Continue to support improving communication to residents during emergencies.